Wenger and Moyes in transfer turmoil as they both have low bids rejected

 

 

 

 

Although the two managers started their Premier League campaigns with completely different results, they have started this week in a very similar fashion.

Both David Moyes and Arsene Wenger have this morning made transfer bids that can only be described as old fashioned and insulting to the clubs on the receiving end.

Let’s start with David Moyes. It emerged this morning that Manchester United have made a joint bid for midfielder Marouane Fellaini and left-back Leighton Baines. The amount offered is said to be £28 million – with £16 million offered for Fellaini and the remaining £12 million for Leighton Baines.

Everton were quick to reject the bid and publicly labeled it as ‘derisory and insulting’. This bid to me makes no sense what so ever, considering that Fellaini’s buy-out clause of £23 million has recently expired, why would Everton accept any less than this?

I believe that Everton would be wise to sell Baines for anything above £15 million as at the age of 29 he is entering his final years in top flight football and Roberto Martinez should take the money whilst it is still on the table. Having said this, I still strongly feel that £12 million is far too low a price for a player that has proven himself to be a world class full-back.

Now on to Fellaini. Let’s turn the clock back to this time last year when Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini dominated Manchester United to claim a 1-0 opening day win for David Moyes’ Everton side. This performance was the catalyst for a number of incredible displays from the midfielder which then highlighted just how talented the Belgian international is. Manchester United’s valuation of £16 million is an insult to Everton and it will not sit well with the Mersyside club.

I’m assuming that United will return with improved offers for the duo. With the first offer being so low and with Everton being so insulted by the size of it – it will surprise me if Everton entertain any offers at all from David Moyes’ new side. If Everton are willing to negotiate I feel that United should start with something in the region of £40 million if they are serious about signing the duo.

Moving on to Arsenal’s £10 million bid for French international Yohan Cabaye. I genuinely feel sorry for Arsenal fans who woke up this morning to this revelation. 

This weekend we saw Arsenal fans turning on Wenger as Arsenal’s lack of activity in the transfer window was exposed during a 1-3 home defeat to Aston Villa. 

Yohan Cabaye is a French international midfielder and has attracted interest from a vast number of clubs this summer. Cabaye has been described by Newcastle Manager Alan Pardew as ‘world class’. Newcastle unsurprisingly rejected Arsenal’s bid which I assume is no way near the Magpie’s valuation of Cabaye.

With injuries to Arteta, Rosicky and Diaby I can see why Wenger has bid for Cabaye but £10 million would only have been enough for a player of Cabaye’s class 10 years ago. This is a very outdated figure and Newcastle will not be happy with it.

 

To sum up…

I now feel that David Moyes is still in a position to make this transfer window a successful one. With Michael Carrick being the only central midfielder United have of the right quality, reinforcements are needed. I would be happy if United land Fellaini as his muscle and composure on the ball mixed with his strength in the air would relieve Carrick of some of his defensive duties and will free him up to focus on play making. 

I then feel that Moyes should go all out for Real Madrid  midfielder Luka Modric. The Croatian international will effectively link up the midfield and attack whilst adding a bit of flair to a currently dull midfield. Manchester United played with three central midfielders against Swansea: Carrick, Giggs and Cleverley. Change that to Carrick, Fellaini and Modric and you have a world class midfield that could be playing behind the likes of Van Persie, Rooney, Kagawa, Hernandez and Wellbeck – sounds good to me.

I’m in favor of the Baines move but I do not feel it is essential. The midfield needs to be looked at before any other area but when that business is done I think that Baines is a perfect instant replacement for an ageing Patrice Evra. The likes of Buttner and Fabio are waiting in the wings but are probably not quite ready for the starting 11 yet – the signing of Baines will bide them some time to mature and develop. 

Possible starting 11: De Gea, Rafael, Vidic, Ferdinand, Baines, Carrick, Fellaini, Modric, Kagawa, Van Persie, Rooney.

 

Now on to Arsenal’s situation. I honestly feel they have left it far too late this year as it is not just one position they need to strengthen. First and fore most, a world class striker is needed but because Arsenal yet again haven’t acted quickly enough – there are none available. Cavani and Falcao have already secured moves and it appears that Benteke, Suarez, Rooney and Lewandovski are all set to stay at their current clubs. I think a swoop for Samuel Eto’o would be wise as he would add class and maturity to a young and inexperienced Arsenal side.

Cabaye would be a great addition too but Arsenal will need to up their offer for him to secure him in time. The North London club also need a strong and commanding center-half but yet again I am struggling for options. Paris Saint Germain defender Mamadou Sakho has expressed his desire to leave the club and why Arsenal haven’t already snapped him up is beyond me – he would be a great signing and would strengthen Arsenal at the back significantly.

Wenger also needs to be looking at signing a new winger – someone with a bit of creative flair but I’m unsure of where to begin with this one. 

Basically a lot of business needs to be done at the Emirates in the next two weeks and I feel that Wenger will run out of time and will miss out on his targets.